OBO life has been pretty straightforward lately: we're finally finishing the Employee Evaluation Report (EER) season, we're heading into the heart of proposal season, and we may be getting some new hires soon. The last bit would be fantastic, it seems like we could use the help, particularly with some recent staffing changes in Africa branch where we're losing a key person to the London embassy project.
The most interesting recent info is actually in the news, although that's probably generally not a good thing. First was an April 11 opinion article in the Washington Post by some high level individuals. It purports that Foreign Service political appointees are undermining the institution because they are short-term officials that don't "notably" contribute on a long-term basis like career staff do. It also suggests that the State Department's General Service (a.k.a. civil service) system should be adapted to become more like the Foreign Service system. It concluded by appealing to Secretary Kerry for change. The article spawned a lot of controversy - we'll see if anything comes of it.
Then, just this week, Kathleen McGrade, age 64, and Brian Collinsworth, age 46, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges from a scheme to steer more than $60 million in State Department contracts to a company they controlled. Not good.
Back to matters at hand, we new hires from the 127th Specialist class are hoping to help with the NEW new hires' introduction to The System in a "pay it forward" way like the class before us. We have no idea on the timing, though, so we'll just play it by ear. Until then, time to get back at it!
(This post written while listening to 311 All Mixed Up)
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